Part 1926 Subpart F

Fire Protection and

Prevention

for Construction

Fire Protection and

Fire Prevention Standards

• 1926.150 - Fire Protection
• 1929.151 - Fire Prevention
• 1926.152 - Flammable and Combustible

Liquids

• 1926.153 - Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP-Gas)
• 1926.154 - Temporary Heating Devices
• 1926.155 - Definitions applicable for this

subpart

Fire Protection and

Fire Prevention Standards

• 1926.156 - Fixed Extinguishing Systems

- General

(Removed)

• 1926.157 - Fixed Extinguishing Systems

- Gaseous Agent

(Removed)

• 1926.158 - Fire Detection System

(Removed)

• 1926.159 - Employer Alarm Systems

(Removed)

1926.150

Fire Protection

• General requirements.
•

The employer shall be responsible for the
development of a fire protection program
to be followed throughout all phases of
the construction and demolition work, and

• He shall provide for the firefighting

equipment as specified in this subpart. As
fire hazards occur, there shall be no delay
in providing the necessary equipment.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• Access to all available firefighting

equipment shall be maintained at all times.

•

All firefighting equipment, provided by the
employer, shall be conspicuously located.

• All firefighting equipment shall be

periodically inspected and maintained in
operating condition. Defective equipment
shall be immediately replaced.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• As warranted by the project, the

employer shall provide a trained
and equipped firefighting
organization (Fire Brigade) to
assure adequate protection to life.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• Water supply

.

–

A temporary or permanent water supply, of
sufficient volume, duration, and pressure,
required to properly operate the firefighting
equipment shall be made available as soon as
combustible materials accumulate.

– Where underground water mains are to be

provided, they shall be installed, completed,
and made available for use as soon as
practicable.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• Portable firefighting equipment-
• Fire extinguishers and small hose lines.

–

A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A,
shall be provided for each 3,000 square
feet of the protected building area, or
major fraction thereof. Travel distance
from any point of the protected area to the
nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed
100 feet.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• One 55-gallon open drum of water

with two fire pails may be
substituted for a fire extinguisher
having a 2A rating.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• A 1/2-inch diameter garden-type hose line, not

to exceed 100 feet in length and equipped with
a nozzle, may be substituted for a 2A-rated fire
extinguisher, providing it is capable of
discharging a minimum of 5 gallons per minute
with a minimum hose stream range of 30 feet
horizontally. The garden-type hose lines shall be
mounted on conventional racks or reels. The
number and location of hose racks or reels shall
be such that at least one hose stream can be
applied to all points in the area.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• One or more fire extinguishers, rated

not less than 2A, shall be provided on
each floor. In multistory buildings, at
least one fire extinguisher shall be
located adjacent to stairway.

• Extinguishers and water drums,

subject to freezing, shall be protected
from freezing

1926.150

Fire Protection

• A fire extinguisher, rated not less

than 10B, shall be provided within
50 feet of wherever more than 5
gallons of flammable or combustible
liquids or 5 pounds of flammable

gas are being used on

the

jobsite. This

requirement does

not

apply to the integral fuel

tanks of motor vehicles.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• Carbon tetrachloride and other toxic

vaporizing liquid fire extinguishers
are prohibited.

• Portable fire extinguishers shall be

inspected periodically and maintained
in accordance with Maintenance and
Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers,
NFPA No. 10A-1970.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• Fire extinguishers which have

been listed or approved by a
nationally recognized testing
laboratory, shall be used to meet
the requirements of this subpart.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• Fire hose and connections

– One hundred feet, or less, of 1 1/2-

inch hose, with a nozzle capable of
discharging water at 25 gallons or
more per minute, may be substituted
for a fire extinguisher rated not more
than 2A in the designated area
provided that the hose line can reach
all points in the area.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• If fire hose connections are not

compatible with local firefighting
equipment, the contractor shall provide
adapters, or equivalent, to permit
connections.

• During demolition involving combustible

materials, charged hose lines, supplied by
hydrants, water tank trucks with pumps,
or equivalent, shall be made available.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• Fixed firefighting equipment-
•

Sprinkler protection.

– If the facility being constructed

includes

the installation of automatic

sprinkler protection, the installation
shall closely follow the construction
and be placed in service as soon as
applicable laws permit following
completion of each story.

1926.150

Fire Protection

• During demolition or alterations, existing

automatic sprinkler installations shall be retained
in service as long as reasonable. The operation of
sprinkler control valves shall be permitted only by
properly authorized persons. Modification of
sprinkler systems to permit alterations or
additional demolition should be expedited so that
the automatic protection may be returned to
service as quickly as possible. Sprinkler control
valves shall be checked daily at close of work to
ascertain that the protection is in service.

1926.150

Fire Protection

•

Standpipes.

–

In all structures in which standpipes are required, or

where standpipes exist in structures being altered,
they shall be brought up as soon as applicable laws
permit, and shall be maintained as construction
progresses in such a manner that they are always
ready for fire protection use. The standpipes shall be
provided with Siamese fire department connections
on the outside of the structure, at the street level,
which shall be conspicuously marked. There shall be
at least one standard hose outlet at each floor.

1926.150

Fire Protection

•

Fire alarm devices.

–

An alarm system, e.g., telephone system,
siren, etc., shall be established by the
employer whereby employees on the site
and the local fire department can be
alerted for an emergency.

–

The alarm code and reporting instructions
shall be conspicuously posted at phones
and at employee entrances.

1926.150

Fire Protection

•

Fire cutoffs.

–

Fire walls and exit stairways, required for
the completed buildings, shall be given
construction priority. Fire doors, with
automatic closing devices, shall be hung
on openings as soon as practicable.

–

Fire cutoffs shall be retained in buildings
undergoing alterations or demolition until
operations necessitate their removal.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Ignition hazards.

– Electrical wiring and equipment for

light, heat, or power purposes shall
be installed in compliance with the
requirements of Subpart K of this
part.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Ignition hazards.

– Internal combustion engine powered

equipment shall be so located that the
exhausts are well away from combustible
materials. When the exhausts are piped
to outside the building under
construction, a clearance of at least 6
inches shall be maintained between such
piping and combustible material.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Ignition hazards.

– Smoking shall be prohibited at or in the

vicinity of operations which constitute a fire
hazard, and shall be conspicuously posted:
"No Smoking or Open Flame.”

– (Portable battery powered lighting

equipment, used in connection with the
storage, handling, or use of flammable gases
or liquids, shall be of the type approved for
the hazardous locations.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Ignition hazards.

– The nozzle of air, inert gas, and steam

lines or hoses, when used in the cleaning
or ventilation of tanks and vessels that
contain hazardous concentrations of
flammable gases or vapors, shall be
bonded to the tank or vessel shell.
Bonding devices shall not be attached or
detached in hazardous concentrations of
flammable gases or vapors.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Temporary buildings.

– No temporary building shall be erected

where it will adversely affect any means of
exit.

– Temporary buildings, when located within

another building or structure, shall be of
either noncombustible construction or of
combustible construction having a fire
resistance of not less than 1 hour.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

– Temporary buildings, located other than

inside another building and not used for the
storage, handling, or use of flammable or
combustible liquids, flammable gases,
explosives, or blasting agents, or similar
hazardous occupancies, shall be located at a
distance of not less than 10 feet from
another building or structure. Groups of
temporary buildings, not exceeding 2,000
square feet in aggregate, shall, for the
purposes of this part, be considered a single
temporary building.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Open yard storage.

– Combustible materials shall be piled with due

regard to the stability of piles and in no case
higher than 20 feet.

– Driveways between and around combustible

storage piles shall be at least 15 feet wide and
maintained free from accumulation of rubbish,
equipment, or other articles or materials.
Driveways shall be so spaced that a maximum grid
system unit of 50 feet by 150 feet is produced.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Open yard storage.

– The entire storage site shall be kept free

from accumulation of unnecessary
combustible materials. Weeds and grass
shall be kept down and a regular procedure
provided for the periodic cleanup of the
entire area.

– When there is a danger of an underground

fire, that land shall not be used for
combustible or flammable storage.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Open yard storage.

– Method of piling shall be solid wherever possible and

in orderly and regular piles. No combustible material
shall be stored outdoors within 10 feet of a building
or structure.

– Portable fire extinguishing equipment, suitable for the

fire hazard involved, shall be provided at convenient,
conspicuously accessible locations in the yard area.
Portable fire extinguishers, rated not less than 2A,
shall be placed so that maximum travel distance to
the nearest unit shall not exceed 100 feet.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Indoor storage.

– Storage shall not obstruct, or adversely

affect, means of exit.

– All materials shall be stored, handled, and

piled with due regard to their fire
characteristics.

– Noncompatible materials, which may create

a fire hazard, shall be segregated by a
barrier having a fire resistance of at least 1
hour.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Indoor storage.

– Material shall be piled to minimize the

spread of fire internally and to permit
convenient access for firefighting.

– Stable piling shall be maintained at all

times.

– Aisle space shall be maintained to safely

accommodate the widest vehicle that may be
used within the building for firefighting
purposes.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Indoor storage

– Clearance of at least 36 inches shall

be maintained between the top level of
the stored material and the sprinkler
deflectors.

– Clearance shall be maintained around

lights and heating units to prevent
ignition of combustible materials.

1926.151

Fire Prevention

•

Indoor storage

– A clearance of 24 inches shall be

maintained around the path of travel
of fire doors unless a barricade is
provided, in which case no clearance
is needed. Material shall not be
stored within 36 inches of a fire door
opening.

1926.152

Flammable And Combustible

Liquids

•

General Requirements

•

Indoor Storage of
flammable and
combustible liquids

•

Storage Outside
Buildings

•

Fire Control for
Flammable or
Combustible Liquid
Storage

• Dispensing Liquids
•

Handling liquids at
point of final use

• Service and refueling

areas

•

Tank Storage

• Piping, Valves and

Fittings

•

Marine Service
Stations

1926.152

Flammable And Combustible

Liquids

• What quantities of flammable and

combustible liquid in excess of
____ gallons shall be stored in an
acceptable or approved cabinet?

• Give appropriate paragraph.

1926.152

Flammable And Combustible

Liquids

• What quantities of flammable and

combustible liquid in excess of

25

gallons shall be stored in an

acceptable or approved cabinet?

• Give appropriate paragraph.

(b)

(2)

1926.152

Flammable And Combustible

Liquids

• What is the capacity of the diked

area around fuel storage tanks?

• Give the appropriate paragraph

1926.152

Flammable And Combustible

Liquids

• What is the capacity of the diked area

around fuel storage tanks?

– For a tank or group of tanks with fixed roofs

containing crude petroleum with boilover
characteristics, the volumetric capacity of the
diked area shall be not less than the capacity of
the largest tank served by the enclosure,
assuming a full tank. The capacity of the diked
enclosure shall be calculated by deducting the
volume below the height of the dike of all tanks
within the enclosure.

(i)(2)(vii)(C)(2)

1926.153

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP-

Gas)

• Approval of equipment

and systems

• Welding

on LP-Gas

containers

• Container valves and

container accessories

•

Safety Devices

• Dispensing
•

Requirement for
appliances

• Equipment installed

outside buildings

•

Containers used inside
buildings

• Multiple container systems
•

Storage outside buildings

• Using other than DOT

containers

•

Damage from vehicles

1926.153

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP-

Gas)

• ____________________________shall

be provided with one or more
approved safety relief valves or
devices.

• Give appropriate paragraph.

1926.153

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP-

Gas)

•

Every container and every
vaporizer

shall be provided with

one or more approved safety relief
valves or devices.

• Give appropriate paragraph

(d)(1)

1926.154

Temporary Heating Devices

•

Ventilation.

– Fresh air shall be supplied in sufficient

quantities to maintain the health and safety of
workmen. Where natural means of fresh air
supply is inadequate, mechanical ventilation
shall be provided.

– When heaters are used in confined spaces,

special care shall be taken to provide sufficient
ventilation in order to ensure proper
combustion, maintain the health and safety of
workmen, and limit temperature rise in the area

.

1926.154

Temporary Heating Devices

•

Clearance and mounting.

•

TABLE F-4 in 29 CFR 1926

1926.154

Temporary Heating Devices

• Heaters not suitable for use on wood

floors shall not be set directly upon
them or other combustible materials.
When such heaters are used, they
shall rest on suitable heat insulating
material or at least 1-inch concrete,
or equivalent. The insulating material
shall extend beyond the heater 2 feet
or more in all directions.

1926.154

Temporary Heating Devices

• Heaters used in the vicinity of

combustible tarpaulins, canvas, or
similar coverings shall be located at
least 10 feet from the coverings.
The coverings shall be securely
fastened to prevent ignition or
upsetting of the heater due to wind
action on the covering or other
material.

1926.154

Temporary Heating Devices

•

Stability.

• Heaters, when in use, shall be set

horizontally level, unless
otherwise permitted by the
manufacturer's markings.

1926.154

Temporary Heating Devices

•

Solid fuel salamanders.

• Solid fuel salamanders are

prohibited in buildings and on
scaffolds.

1926.154

Temporary Heating Devices

•

Oil-fired heaters.

– Flammable liquid-fired heaters shall

be equipped with a primary safety
control to stop the flow of fuel in the
event of flame failure. Barometric or
gravity oil feed shall not be
considered a primary safety control.

1926.154

Temporary Heating Devices

• Heaters designed for barometric or

gravity oil feed shall be used only
with the integral tanks.

• Heaters specifically designed and

approved for use with separate
supply tanks may be directly
connected for gravity feed, or an
automatic pump, from a supply tank.

1926.155

Definitions

• "Approved", for the purpose of this

subpart, means equipment that has
been listed or approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory such as
Factory Mutual Engineering Corp., or
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or
Federal agencies such as Bureau of
Mines, or U.S. Coast Guard, which
issue approvals for such equipment.

1926.155

Definitions

• "Closed container" means a container

so sealed by means of a lid or other
device that neither liquid nor vapor will
escape from it at ordinary
temperatures.

•

"Combustible liquids" mean any liquid
having a flash point at or above 140
deg. F. (60 deg. C.), and below 200 deg.
F. (93.4 deg. C.)

1926.155

Definitions

• "Combustion" means any chemical

process that involves oxidation
sufficient to produce light or heat.

•

"Fire brigade" means an organized
group of employees that are
knowledgeable, trained, and skilled in
the safe evacuation of employees
during emergency situations and in
assisting in fire fighting operations

.

1926.155

Definitions

• "Fire resistance" means so resistant to fire

that, for specified time and under
conditions of a standard heat intensity, it
will not fail structurally and will not permit
the side away from the fire to become
hotter than a specified temperature. For
purposes of this part, fire resistance shall
be determined by the Standard Methods of
Fire Tests of Building Construction and
Materials, NFPA 251-1969.

1926.155

Definitions

• "Flammable" means capable of being

easily ignited, burning intensely, or
having a rapid rate of flame spread.

•

"Flammable liquids" means any liquid
having a flash point below 140 deg. F.
and having a vapor pressure not
exceeding 40 pounds per square inch
(absolute) at 100 deg F.

1926.155

Definitions

• "Flash point" of the liquid means

the temperature at which it gives
off vapor sufficient to form an
ignitable mixture with the air near
the surface of the liquid or within
the vessel used as determined by
appropriate test procedure

1926.155

Definitions

• "Liquefied petroleum gases," "LPG"

and "LP Gas" mean and include
any material which is composed
predominantly of any of the
following hydrocarbons, or
mixtures of them, such as propane,
propylene, butane (normal butane
or iso-butane), and butylenes

1926.155

Definitions

• "Portable tank" means a closed container

having a liquid capacity more than 60 U.S.
gallons, and not intended for fixed
installation.

•

"Safety can" means an approved closed
container, of not more than 5 gallons capacity,
having a flash-arresting screen, spring-closing
lid and spout cover and so designed that it
will safely relieve internal pressure when
subjected to fire exposure.

1926.155

Definitions

• "Vapor pressure" means the

pressure, measured in pounds per
square inch (absolute), exerted by
a volatile liquid as determined by
the "Standard Method of Test for
Vapor Pressure of Petroleum
Products (Reid Method)." (ASTM
D-323-58).

Most Frequently Cited

Fire Hazard Violations

•

Transporting or handling
flammable liquids in non-approved
containers [1926.152(a)(1)].

Most Frequently Cited

Fire Hazard Violations

•

Failure to have a class 2-A rated fire
extinguisher within a 100 feet (30.4 m)
of an area where class A fire hazards
exist within a building [1926.150(c)(1)
(I)]. Another frequent violation related
to this one is not having at least one
class 2-A rated fire extinguisher on each
floor of a multistory building located
near the stairway [1926.150(c)(1)(iv)].

Most Frequently Cited

Fire Hazard Violations

•

Failure of the employer to develop and
implement a fire protection program for
all phases of work involving employees
on the job site [1926.150(a)(1)].

•

Failure to inspect and maintain portable
fire extinguishers to keep them in
serviceable condition [1926.150(c)(1)
(iii)].

Most Frequently Cited

Fire Hazard Violations

•

Lack of posting of "no smoking"
signs where refueling operations
are conducted [1926.152(g)(9)],
and where operations which
constitute a fire hazard, which
commonly will include flammable
liquids and flammable gases
[1926.151(a)(3)].

Review

•

What is a fire brigade?

•

Who is responsible for the development of
a fire protection program to be followed
throughout all phases of the construction
and demolition work?

•

During ___________ involving combustible
materials, charged hose lines, supplied by
hydrants, water tank trucks with pumps,
or equivalent, shall be made available.

Review

•

A fire extinguisher was be rated as
what “A” as a minimum?

•

What types of fire extinguishers are
prohibited?

•

A clearance of at least ____ inches
shall be maintained between the
top level of the stored material and
the sprinkler deflectors.